Integrated storm shutter including latch pin corner connection and/or center louver support rail

Abstract

A shutter having a unitary frame formed by four perimeter rails, each having a receptacle at each of its distal ends, with four connection members, each having structure inserted into and secured within one receptacle of each of two of the perimeter rails. Optionally, a latch pin is movable through a guide hole formed in one of the corner connection members. A further option is louvers extending through a center support.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]This invention relates generally to window and other building portal protection and, more specifically, to methods and apparatus for protecting windows and other building portals against wind, airborne moving objects, and other conditions likely to cause damage to the portal structure or, upon entry, to an interior of the building.[0002]A variety of structures for shutters, for houses, apartments, motels, hotels and other commercial buildings are known in the building arts. Shutters may be, but are typically not installed for permanent or semi-permanent coverage over their associated portal. More typically, shutters are selectively movable and securable into open and shut modes using, for example, a hinge and latch mechanism.[0003]Examples of known shutter types include rolling shutters, accordion shutters, removable and stowable panels, “Bahama” shutters, and “Colonial” shutters.[0004]Rolling shutters, or roll shutters, include a plurality of parall...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

Shutters may be, but are typically not installed for permanent or semi-permanent coverage over their associated portal.

Rolling shutters offer substantial protection but have shortcomings, such as blocking the view and the airflow through the portal when they are closed, that makes them undesirable for many applications.

Although simple and relatively low cost, these typically require considerable manual effort to install and remove, and require substantial, accessible storage space.

For example, the screw connection of the rails of the Bahama shutters depicted by U.S. Pat. No. 5,907,929 may fail due to environmental conditions such as, for example, repeated wind-induced flexing of the shutter and its peripheral rails.

Similarly, welded butt joints at the corners of the shutter frame have a probability of failing, due to repeated flexing of the joints or to defects in the original weld quality.

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